Tergat is wowed by visit to Bydgoszcz

- READ ON for English and French language versions of this story- La traduction française suit le texte anglais

The feedback given by IAAF Ambassador Paul Tergat on his first ever visit to Poland exceeded the expectations of the organisers of the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

After his four-day stay in Poland where Tergat visited the three biggest cities of the region – Włocławek, Toruń and Bydgoszcz, host city of the 40th edition of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on 24 March 2013 – there seems to be more running enthusiasts in the regions of Kujawy and Pomorze.

Tergat, the former World record holder in the 10,000m, Half Marathon and Marathon, signed autographs and posed for photographs with the many people he met, always smiling and happy to share the experiences of his long career.

Question time in Włocławek

His trip began on Friday February 8 in Włocławek, less than 100km from Bydgoszcz, the Polish capital of athletics. Invited by LKS DGS Vectra running club together with Amber Palace Hotel and Wieniec Health Resort, Tergat met with around 300 people including City Hall representatives as well as pupils, students, coaches and teachers.

The four-time World cross-country champion was asked questions such as “Which medal was the most important – the first or the last one?” … “What is life like for a student in Kenya?” … “How many kilometres did you run in an average week?”

“I was amazed by the smart questions from such young people,” commented Tergat. He and his assistant, Simon Chebon, then moved on to Toruń.

“It’s the first time I've ever seen snow!” said Chebon. “It’s cold here,” added Tergat. “In Kenya the coldest it gets is twelve degrees with a bit of rain.”

Piotr Całbecki, the marshall of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, was the host on the early Friday afternoon. After tea and Toruń’s special gingerbread, there was a media briefing attended by television stations, radio stations, written press and photographers, followed by an interesting walk throughout the city, which is on the Unesco Heritage list, covering its 800-year history.

At midday on Saturday it was back to Bydgoszcz for a photo and autograph session at the Focus Mall, where media and LOC volunteers assisted with the promotional activities.

Testing the World Cross course

Then finally on Sunday it was time for the Fun Run. Equipped with cap, gloves and a scarf from the LOC, Tergat was well prepared to take part. Fortunately the weather was kind and the temperature didn’t go into minus figures.

The oldest participant, 76-year-old Władysław Angiel, asked Tergat to sign a promotional card. The next person to receive one was Janusz Lenz who, as it transpired, competed in the Berlin Marathon in 2003 where Tergat set his World record.

As a kind of review of Tergat’s visit, the LOC organised a press conference in Karczma Kujawska ‘Kummerowka’ where Tergat faced more questions from journalists.

“I am very, very, very impressed by the course,” said Tergat. “It will be a real cross country for the runners.

“The narrow hill makes it hard and it’s going to be a real fight between the runners,” he added. “The cold and snow could also make it more exciting for the spectators and for the participants.

“I wouldn’t want to make any medal predictions for Kenyan athletes in Bydgoszcz. I think all of them are taking a very serious approach to their preparations. But the wintry conditions make it more difficult to predict who will win.

“I am also very impressed by the way I’ve been hosted here in Bydgoszcz. The people are very friendly and the food is so nice. You should be proud that the whole world – particularly the cross-country world – knows the name of your city and is coming to you for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Nearing the end of his visit, just when it seemed that nothing more could surprise the multiple Olympic medallist, he looked out of the window. “It’s a miracle. I am shocked. I have never seen this in my entire life,” said Tergat, clearly moved. “This is the first time I can see people walking on water.”

He was in fact looking at a group of skaters on the frozen lake close to the start line of the World Cross course. But it made for a memorable – and fitting – lasting image of Tergat’s visit to Bydgoszcz.